Wagering Game with Enhanced Progressive Game

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a wagering game, the wagering game having a basic game and a multi-level secondary game. The method includes conducting the basic game at a gaming terminal. In response to achieving a first-level secondary game entry award, a first-level secondary game is activated. A first set of player-selectable game elements is displayed during the first level secondary game and a player selects, at least one of the first set of player-selectable game elements, which include at least one second-level secondary game entry award. Upon selecting the second-level secondary game entry award, a second-level secondary game is activated and a second set of player-selectable game elements are displayed. The player selects at least one of the second set of player-selectable game elements and a progressive game payoff is awarded based on the selecting.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gaming terminals and, moreparticularly, to a gaming terminal having a multi-level progressivegame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines, and thelike, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years.Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent onthe likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machineand the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to otheravailable gaming options. Where the available gaming options include anumber of competing machines and the expectation of winning each machineis roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are mostlikely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting of themachines.

Consequently, shrewd operators strive to employ the most entertainingand exciting machines available because such machines attract frequentplay and, hence, increase profitability to the operator. In thecompetitive gaming machine industry, there is a continuing need forgaming machine manufacturers to produce new types of games, orenhancements to existing games, which will attract frequent play byenhancing the entertainment value and excitement associated with thegame.

One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance theentertainment value of a game is that of a “bonus” game which may beplayed in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus game may compriseany type of game, either similar to or completely different from thebasic game, and is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event oroutcome of the basic game. Such a bonus game produces a significantlyhigher level of player excitement than the basic game because itprovides a greater expectation of winning than the basic game.

Another concept that has been employed is the use of a progressivejackpot. In the gaming industry, a “progressive” involves collectingcoin-in data from participating gaming device(s) (e.g., slot machines),contributing a percentage of that coin-in data to a jackpot amount, andawarding that jackpot amount to a player upon the occurrence of acertain jackpot-won event. The percentage of the coin-in is determinedprior to any result being achieved and is independent of any result. Ajackpot-won event typically occurs when a “progressive winning position”is achieved at a participating gaming device. If the gaming device is aslot machine, a progressive winning position may, for example,correspond to alignment of progressive jackpot reel symbols along acertain payline. The initial progressive jackpot is a predeterminedminimum amount. That jackpot amount, however, progressively increases asplayers continue to play the gaming machine without winning the jackpot.Further, when several gaming machines are linked together such thatseveral players at several gaming machines compete for the same jackpot,the jackpot progressively increases at a much faster rate, which leadsto further player excitement.

In some current progressive games, the player is merely a spectatorwhile the progressive jackpot is being awarded. This can lower the levelof player excitement, because the player may feel as though he or she isnot participating in the game.

In some progressive games, there are multiple levels of progressivejackpots or awards, which are designed to increase player excitement.However, in some of these games, the player can only win one of thelevels of progressive jackpots. This can lower the level of playerexcitement if the player wins the smallest award, because the player isnot going to win the larger level progressive award.

Thus, there is a need for increasing player excitement by improvingwagering game formats that increase the feeling of control a player hasover the progressive game.

Also, there is a need for increasing player excitement by allowing aplayer to win multiple progressive jackpots in a single turn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, the needs mentioned aboveare met by a method of playing a wagering game that has a basic game anda multi-level secondary game. The present invention does so byconducting the basic game at a gaming terminal and achieving afirst-level secondary game entry award at the gaming terminal. Inresponse to achieving the first-level secondary game entry award, afirst-level secondary game is activated. A first set ofplayer-selectable game elements is then displayed. At least oneplayer-selectable game element is chosen, via player inputs, and theplayer-selectable game elements include a second-level secondary gameentry award. When the second-level secondary game is achieved, asecond-level secondary game is activated, and a second set ofplayer-selectable game elements is displayed. At least one of the secondset of player-selectable game elements is then selected via playerinputs and a progressive game payoff is awarded based on the selecting.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a gamingterminal includes a wagering game having a plurality of symbols thatindicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game and asecondary game. In response to the randomly selected outcome being astart-secondary game outcome, the gaming terminal displays a pluralityof player-selectable game elements whose symbols are revealed asselected by a player. The plurality of player-selectable game elementsincludes at least one of a stop-game element, an award element, and acontinue-game element. The ratio of the number of stop-game elements tocontinue-game elements is dependant on an amount wagered during thewagering game.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a gamingsystem includes a gaming terminal for playing a special-event game, thegaming terminal having a display. Signage that is related to the specialevent is coupled and located proximate to the gaming terminal. Thesignage has a signage display. The special-event game is simultaneouslydisplayed on the display of the gaming terminal and on the signagedisplay of the signage. However, the signage display displays an alteredversion of tie special-event game.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, amethod of playing a wagering game is provided. The wagering gameincludes a basic game and a secondary game. The method includesconducting the basic game at a gaming terminal and achieving a secondarygame entry award at the gaming terminal. In response to achieving thesecondary game entry award, a secondary game is activated. A set ofplayer-selectable game elements is displayed during the secondary game,and the player selects at least one. The player-selectable game elementsinclude at least one progressive-game-award symbol and at least onecredit-award symbol. In response to the player selecting the at leastone progressive-game-award symbol, a progressive game award is awarded.If the player selects the at least one credit-award symbol, an awardcorresponding to the credit award symbol is awarded. However, if boththe at least one credit-award symbol and the at least one progressivegame-award symbol are selected, the player is then awarded both theprogressive game award and the award corresponding to the credit-awardsymbol.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to representeach embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. The detaileddescription and Figures will describe many of the embodiments andaspects of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video gaming terminal according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the gaming terminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a display of a basic game on the gaming terminal ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an initial progressive game screen on the gamingterminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates another progressive game screen on the gamingterminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart describing the method of playing the bonus game.

FIG. 7 illustrates a gaming system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. Itshould be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to belimited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a typical gaming terminal 10 used bygaming establishments, such as casinos. With regard to the presentinvention, the gaming terminal 10 may be any type of gaming terminal andmay have varying structures and methods of operation. For example, thegaming terminal 10 may be a mechanical gaming terminal configured toplay mechanical slots, or it may be an electromechanical or electricalgaming terminal configured to play video slots or a video casino game,such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, etc.

As shown, the gaming terminal 10 includes input devices, such as a wageracceptor 16 (shown as a card wager acceptor 16 a and a cash wageraccepter 16 b), a touch screen 21, a push-button panel 22, and aplayer-identification card reader 24. For outputs, the gaming terminal10 includes a main display 26 for displaying information about the basicwagering game, and a secondary display 27 that may display an electronicversion of a pay table, and/or also possibly game-related information orother entertainment features. While these typical components found inthe gaming terminal 10 are described below, it should be understood thatnumerous other elements may exist and may be used in any number ofcombinations to create various forms of a gaming terminal.

The wager acceptor 16 may be provided in many forms, individually or incombination. The cash wager acceptor 16 a may include a coin slotacceptor or a note acceptor to input value to the gaming terminal 10.The card wager acceptor 16 b may include a card-reading device forreading a card that has a recorded monetary value with which it isassociated. The card wager acceptor 16 b may also receive a card thatauthorizes access to a central account, which can transfer money to thegaming terminal 10.

The push button panel 22 is typically offered, in addition to the touchscreen 21, to provide players with an option on how to make their gameselections. Alternatively, the push button panel 22 provides inputs forone aspect of operating the game, while the touch screen 21 allows forinputs needed for another aspect of operating the game.

The outcome of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player on themain display 26. The main display 26 may take the form of a cathode raytube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, LED, or any othertype of video display suitable for use in the gaming terminal 10. Asshown, the main display 26 includes the touch screen 21 overlaying theentire monitor (or a portion thereof) to allow players to makegame-related selections. Alternatively, the gaming terminal 10 may havea number of mechanical reels to display the game outcome, as long as itincludes the secondary display 27 for displaying the bonus game featuredescribed below.

The player-identification card reader 24 allows for the identificationof a player by reading a card with information indicating his or hertrue identity. Currently, the identification is used by casinos forrewarding certain players with complimentary services or special offers.For example, a player may be enrolled in the gaming establishment'splayers' club and may be awarded certain complimentary services as thatplayer collects points in his or her player-tracking account. The playerinserts his or her card into the player-identification card reader 24,which allows the casino's computers to register that player's wageringat the gaming terminal 10. The gaming terminal 10 may use the secondarydisplay 27 for providing the player with information about his or heraccount or other player-specific information.

As shown in FIG. 2, the various components of the gaming terminal 10 arecontrolled by a central processing unit (CPU) 30 (such as amicroprocessor or microcontroller). To provide the gaming functions, theCPU 30 executes a game program that allows for the randomly selectedoutcome. The CPU 30 is also coupled to or includes a system memory 32.The system memory 32 may comprise a volatile memory 33 (e.g., arandom-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory 34 (e.g., anEEPROM). It should be appreciated that the CPU 30 may include one ormore microprocessors. Similarly, the memory 32 may include multiple RAMand multiple program memories.

Communications between the peripheral components of the gaming terminal10 and the CPU 30 occur through input/output (I/O) circuits 35 a. Assuch, the CPU 30 also controls and receives inputs from the peripheralcomponents of the gaming terminal 10. Further, the CPU 30 communicateswith external systems via the I/O circuits 35 b. Although the I/Ocircuits 35 may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciatedthat the I/O circuits 35 may include a number of different types of I/Ocircuits.

In some embodiments, the CPU 30 may not be inside the gaming terminal10. Instead, the CPU 30 may be part of a progressive game network 50(FIG. 2) and may be used to control numerous gaming terminals 10. Inthese embodiments, the CPU 30 will run the basic games for each of thegaming terminals 10, and may also be used to link the gaming terminals10 together. The gaming terminals 10 may all be part of a progressivegame network. The progressive game network can include progressivejackpots that are contributed to by all or some of the gaming terminals10 in the network. For example, the gaming terminals may have fourlevels of progressive jackpots: a terminal-level jackpot, that is uniqueto each terminal 10, a bank-level jackpot that every terminal 10 in aparticular bank of terminals 10 contributes to, a first wide-areajackpot that is contributed to by multiple banks of terminals 10, or iseven casino wide; and a second wide-area jackpot that multiple casinosparticipate in.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the main display 26 of one embodiment of thepresent invention is shown in more detail. In this embodiment, the basicgame is a slot machine game, with symbols on five different reels 36,38, 40, 42, 44. The reels 36-44 may be either traditional mechanicalreels or they may be computer-generated images of reels, with each reelcomposed of a plurality of symbols. The payline indicators 46 indicate arandomly selected outcome for each payline, which is the combination ofsymbols on the reels 36-44. Thereafter, an outcome indicator 48indicates whether the outcome has resulted in a payout, a progressivejackpot, a bonus game, or whether it resulted in nothing. While multiplepaylines are shown, a gaming terminal 10 with a single payline will alsowork with the present invention.

In the present example, the wagering game follows the theme of a dairyfarm, where the symbols represent different things generally associatedwith milking cows (e.g., farmers, barns, pails of milk, cows, milkbottles, etc . . . ). Various combinations of the symbols can result inprizes, including monetary and non-monetary prizes. The non-monetaryprizes include free spins, multipliers, entry into a bonus game, entryinto a progressive game, etc.

In this particular embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a particular symbol,or group of symbols, generates entry into a progressive game. The gameenters the progressive stage when a particular symbol is present in anyof the reels 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44. In this embodiment, theprogressive-game entry symbol is a “jackpot party” symbol 52 shown inthe fifth reel 44, on an actual payline played by the player. In otherembodiments, other symbols and/or symbol combinations (including symbolson other reels) may trigger the bonus game.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a display of the progressive game is shown thatis triggered by the progressive-game entry symbol in the basic game, asshown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the progressive game includes anumber of presents 54 arranged in an array on the main display 26. Afterthe player selects one of the presents 54, either be pressing thepresent 54 on the touch screen 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2) or by giving thecoordinates of the present 54, the selected present 56 opens and revealsits contents to the player. In the illustrated embodiment, the playerselected three presents 56, the first two awarding credit amounts, and athird that reveals the word “collect.” In other embodiments, the awardscan be non-monetary awards such as free spins or multipliers. The“collect” symbol is a progressive game-ending symbol, and effectivelyends the progressive round for the player. The player is then awardedthe total amount of the number of credits or other awards that wererevealed prior to choosing the collect prize.

Turning now to FIG. 5, another outcome is illustrated. In thisprogressive game, the player has selected the same three presents, butin this embodiment, the third present selected reveals a “star” symbol,or a continue-game element or symbol, which causes the player to jump tothe next level progressive. When the player achieves a continue-gameelement, the player is awarded the amount of credits from the selectedpresents in this case 600 credits, plus the progressive amount for thefirst level, and then is given a new array of presents to beginselecting for more prizes. In other embodiments, there may only be asingle level in the secondary game and when the player achieves the“star” symbol, the player is awarded the progressive and any creditsachieved, and then the secondary game ends.

In one embodiment, there are four levels of progressives, with eachlevel offering a progressive jackpot that is larger than the previouslevel. At each of the first three levels, the player is given a chanceto advance to the next higher level. At the final level, if the playerachieves the “star” or continue-game symbol, the player is awarded thefinal and largest progressive jackpot.

In some embodiments, each level progressive game is linked to adifferent gaming terminal or set of terminals. For example, the firstlevel progressive jackpot may be specific to each individual gamingterminal (i.e., a terminal level progressive). The second levelprogressive jackpot may be a bank-level progressive, meaning that allthe gaming terminals in a particular bank (e.g., four or five adjacentterminals) contribute and are eligible to win. The third levelprogressive jackpot may be a wide-area progressive, such as a multi-bankprogressive or a casino-wide progressive. The fourth level progressivejackpot may also be a wide-area progressive, but one that is larger thanthe third, e.g., a casino-wide progressive or a state-wide progressive.

In some embodiments, the number of end-game symbols and continue-gamesymbols may be varied depending upon the wager made by the player. Forexample, Table 1, shown below, provides one example of how the amount ofthe initial wager in the basic game shown in FIG. 3 may vary the numberof “stars” (continue-game symbols) and “poopers” (end-game symbols). Inother embodiments, the number of “stars” and “poopers” may be constantor the number of “stars” and “poopers” may be randomly varied regardlessof the amount wagered. In some embodiments, the number of “stars” and“poopers” may also vary depending on which progressive level the playeris in. For example, there may be four “stars” to one “pooper” in thefirst-level progressive game, but in the second-level; there may be onlythree “stars,” and three “poopers.” TABLE 1 Wager Stars Poopers 40 1 480 2 3 120 3 2 160 4 1 200 5 0

Table 2 illustrates how the number of “stars” and “poopers” is variedfor wager levels that fall between the set wager amounts. TABLE 2 Chanceat Chance at Wager Stars Poopers Extra Star Extra Pooper 41 1 3 1/4039/40 42 1 3 2/40 38/40 43 1 3 3/40 37/40 44 1 3 4/40 36/40

The above tables were related to a particular embodiment, where theprogressive game relates to an arrangement of packages. In otherembodiments, the progressive game could be other indicia, such as reelsymbols from a standard slot machine or cards from a deck of cards.

Turning now to FIG. 6, the operation detailing the method of playing thegame according to the illustrated embodiment of the invention will bedescribed. In step s100, a player at the gaming terminal 10 begins agaming session by any conventional method (e.g., inserting coins orusing credits). The gaming terminal 10 has a basic wagering game thatinvolves a player making various inputs, including, for example,choosing a number of paylines to play (step s102). In some embodiments,there are a maximum of nine paylines, as shown in the gaming terminal 10of FIG. 1. In other embodiments, there may only be a single payline. Inthose embodiments, this step would be skipped. After choosing how manypaylines to play, the player selects how many credits (e.g., 1-5) towager on each payline (step s104).

Regarding eligibility for the progressive game, in some embodiments, theplayer is only eligible for the progressive game if the player choosesto play all of the paylines and/or the player wagers the maximum amounton each of the paylines played. In other embodiments, the player isautomatically eligible for the progressive game, and is not required tomake a minimum wager or to play a minimum number of lines. In some otherembodiments, there is a “side-wager” option that allows the player to beeligible for the bonus game. The “side-wager” option is described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/659,878, filed on Sep. 11, 2003,entitled “Gaming Machine With Multi-Level Progressive Jackpot,” which iscommonly owned and herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

At step s106, the player begins the basic wagering game, thereby causingthe reels to spin and display a symbol combination that corresponds tothe randomly selected outcome from the CPU 30 (FIG. 2). At step s108, itis determined if the randomly selected outcome (i.e., arrangement ofsymbols) is one of the winning outcomes according to a basic-game paytable (not shown). If the answer is “yes,” then the gaming systemprogresses to step s110, and awards the player with the associatedpayout amount.

If the answer at step s108 is “no,” or, after the payout has beenawarded at step s110, then the gaming terminal 10 determines whether anyof the symbols is a start-progressive game symbol, which is associatedwith entering a progressive game (step s112). If the answer is “no”, thegame returns to step s100 and the game begins again.

If one of the symbols the randomly selected outcome is astart-progressive game symbol that causes entry to the progressive game,then terminal advances to step s113, and the allocation of the symbols(as described above in reference to Tables 1 and 2) is determined basedon the players selections at steps s102 and s104. The game thenprogresses to step s114, and the progressive game screen is displayed.As stated above in reference to FIG. 4, the progressive game is set upas an array of presents 54. The player is then directed to select apresent (step s116), which is then opened to reveal the contents of thepresent (the selected present 56 of FIG. 4). In this embodiment, thearray of presents 54 include game-ending symbols, value-adding symbols(e.g., credits and free spins), and continue-game symbols. If the cardis a game-ending symbol such as “pooper” or a “collect” symbol (steps118), the game continues to step s120 and the player is awarded anycredits or other awards achieved during the progressive game. Theprogressive game is now complete.

If the card is not a game-ending symbol such as a “pooper” or a“collect” symbol, the progressive game continues to step s122, at whichthe symbol is analyzed to determine whether it is a continue-gamesymbol, which takes the player to the next level of the progressivegame. If it is not a continue-game symbol, the player is directed toselect another present to open (step s116).

If the symbol is a continue-game symbol, the player is awarded anycredits or other awards achieved during the progressive game and thefirst level progressive amount (step s124). The player then advances toa second-level progressive game (step s126), and a new array of presentsis displayed (s116), whose symbols are determined at s128 depending onthe decisions made by the player at steps s102 and s104. The gameprogresses the same as the first-level progressive game, except that ifthe player selects a “star,” then the player is awarded the second-levelprogressive and proceeds to the third level progressive game. Thiscontinues until the player either selects a “pooper” or a “star” in thehighest level progressive. Once the player selects a “pooper,” the gameends as described above. If the player selects a “star” at the highestlevel progressive, then the player is awarded the highest progressivejackpot, and the progressive game ends, returning the player to thebeginning of the game.

In some embodiments, when the player advances to the second-levelprogressive game, the player is awarded all the credits earned from theopen presents in the first level as well as the first-level progressivejackpot. In other embodiments, if a player achieves the second-levelprogressive jackpot, the first-level jackpot is forfeited for thelarger, second-level jackpot.

In other embodiments, the first level of the progressive game does notinclude a progressive jackpot. Instead, the first level acts as aqualifying round. In the first level of these embodiments, the “star” orcontinue-game element does not award the player a progressive jackpot.Instead, revealing the “star” advances the player to the second level ofthe progressive game, which includes a progressive jackpot. The firstlevel may include presents 56 that reveal credits or other non-monetaryawards and also “poopers” or other game-ending symbols. As in theabove-described embodiments, the player selects the presents 56 until heor she obtains either the “star” or the “pooper.” If the player hasachieved credits prior to revealing the “star” or “pooper” symbol, theplayer may be awarded the total amount of those credits.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a gaming system 60 of gaming machines 10 a, 10 b,10 c, 10 d is shown. The four gaming machines 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d areof the type described above in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2. The fourgaming machines 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d are interconnected and locatednear signage 62. The signage 62 includes at least one jackpot screen 64displaying a plurality of dollar amounts for a multi-level progressivepayout or progressive jackpot. In this embodiment, there are threedollar amount levels: a Mini Jackpot, a Maxi Jackpot, and a MegaJackpot. In other embodiments, there may be any number of progressivejackpots.

The jackpot screen 64 also alerts the players at the gaming terminals 10a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d when one of the players at a gaming terminalinitiates the progressive game described above. While the progressivegame is being played at the gaming terminal, the jackpot screen 64 alsodisplays the progressive game. However, the jackpot screen 64 does notexactly duplicate the main display 26 of the gaming terminal. Instead,the jackpot screen 64 will alter the information shown on the maindisplay 26 in the following ways: delete certain information; add otherinformation; and/or substitute information.

In some situations, the jackpot screen 64 will delete certain portionsof the screen as shown on the main display 26 of the gaming terminal 10.One purpose for deleting or omitting information may be to preserve theplayer's privacy, such as credits wagered, credits remaining, etc. . . .For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the information along the bottom of themain display 26 such as a credit meter indicating the total number ofcredits that the player has at any given time may be deleted from thejackpot screen 64. Also, while the gaming terminal is waiting for theplayer to make a selection, the presents may jiggle or somehow beanimated. The jackpot screen 64 may delete this portion of the display,and show the presents as stationary during play of the progressive game.The jackpot screen 64 may also delete player identification informationthat may be included on the main display 26.

In other embodiments, information is added. For example, when a playerwins a progressive jackpot, the main display 26 of the gaming terminalmay show some animation with a star. When this occurs, the jackpotscreen 64 will show much more animation and may include sound. This isto draw people's attention to the fact that someone has won one of theprogressive jackpots. Another example of added information may be aportion of the screen that is dedicated to the amounts of theprogressive jackpots. On the jackpot screen, the progressive jackpot“tickers” or amounts will be updated in real-time to show how much eachis worth. Another example may be animation that is added to the presentson the jackpot screen 64 in order to draw attention to the game beingplayed and to lure more players to the gaming terminals.

In other embodiments, information from the main display 26 is replacedwith different information on the j ackpot screen 64. When a player winsa credit amount in the progressive game (as illustrated in FIG. 4), themain display 26 of the gaming terminal illustrates to the player exactlyhow many credits was won. To protect the player's privacy, the jackpotscreen 64 only shows a symbol, such a dollar sign, indicating that theplayer has won a credit amount—instead of showing exactly how much theplayer has won. Also, when one of the progressive jackpots is won, themain display 26 of the gaming terminal will show the player the amountof the progressive jackpot won, plus any credits won also. The jackpotscreen 64 will only show the amount of the progressive jackpot won andmay substitute a symbol such as a dollar sign for the amount of creditswon, or it may not show that information at all.

The signage 62 may include a signage controller 68 that is connected toeach of the four gaming machines 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d. The signagecontroller 68 transmits information to and receives information from theCPU 30 (FIG. 2) in each of the four gaming machines 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10d throughout the game. The gaming system 60 allows for various aspectsof the gaming machines 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, such as updating theprogressive jackpots to be controlled through the signage controller 68in the signage 62. Also the signage controller 68 may control howinformation is displayed on the jackpot screen 64.

Alternatively, the jackpot screen 64 may be controlled by the individualCPU 30. As described above in reference to FIG. 2, the CPU 30 may belocated in each of the gaming terminals 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d or it maybe located remotely from the gaming terminals, or be a part of thenetwork 50.

In another embodiment, the gaming terminal 10 and jackpot screen 64 mayalso utilize different accompanying audio programs that are paired withthe different displays. The more elaborate animation on the jackpotscreen 64 may be accompanied by a more intense audio soundtrack.

In another embodiment, the jackpot screen 64 may replay previouslyplayed progressive games in order to attract new players to the gamingterminals 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d. In this embodiment, progressive gamesthat result in a player winning a progressive jackpot may be saved in amemory, such as the system memory 32 or in a memory (not shown) outsideof the gaming terminal. During times when there is not a progressivegame being played on the bank of gaming terminals 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 dand/or when there is an opening at one of the gaming terminals 10 a, 10b, 10 c, 10 d, the jackpot screen 64 will replay exciting jackpot wins.In some versions, the entire progressive game will be replayed, inothers, only the winning portions or other exciting portions of theprogressive game may be replayed. In other embodiments, portions ofmultiple progressive games may be edited together to create a“highlight” reel. By replaying exciting moments in the games, newplayers may feel as though they want to be a part of the excitement andmay join in playing the game.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognizethat many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments andobvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spiritand scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the followingclaims.

1. A method of playing a wagering game, the wagering game having a basicgame and a multi-level secondary game, the method comprising: conductingthe basic game at a gaming terminal; achieving a first-level secondarygame entry award at the gaming terminal; activating a first-levelsecondary game in response to achieving the first-level secondary gameentry award; displaying a first set of player-selectable game elementsduring the first level secondary game; selecting, via player inputs, atleast one of the first set of player-selectable game elements, theplayer-selectable game elements including at least one second-levelsecondary game entry award; activating a second-level secondary game inresponse to selecting the at least one second-level secondary game entryaward; displaying a second set of player-selectable game elements duringthe second level secondary game; selecting, via player inputs, at leastone of the second set of player-selectable game elements; and awarding aprogressive game payoff based on the selecting.
 2. (canceled)
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the secondary game is a multi-levelprogressive game that is funded by a percentage of a wager amount inputby a player.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to achievingthe second-level secondary game, awarding the player a first-levelprogressive award.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein theplayer-selectable game elements include at least one credit-award symboland in response to the player selecting the at least one credit-awardsymbol, awarding an award corresponding to the credit award symbol andin response to the player selecting both the at least one credit-awardsymbol and the at least one progressive game-award symbol, awarding thefirst level progressive award and the award corresponding to thecredit-award symbol.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the playercontinues to select player-selectable game elements until a game-endingsymbol is achieved.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the number ofgame-ending symbols is varied depending on a wager amount in the basicgame.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the ratio of thenumber of game-ending symbols to the number of second-level secondarygame entry awards is varied depending on a wager amount.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein the ratio of the number of game-ending symbols tothe number of second-level secondary game entry awards decreases as thewager amount increases.
 11. A gaming terminal capable of playing amulti-level secondary game that is triggered during or after a wageringgame being played at the gaming terminal, comprising: an input devicefor receiving inputs from a player during the wagering game, the inputsincluding a wager amount; a display for displaying a randomly selectedoutcome of the wagering game in response to receiving the wager amountfrom the player; and wherein, in response to a first level of themulti-level secondary game being triggered, the display displaying aplurality of player-selectable game elements, initially hiding anassociated outcome of each of the plurality of player-selectable gameelements, and revealing the associated outcomes of the selectedplayer-selectable game elements, a first level secondary game payoffbeing determined based on a selection by the player of theplayer-selectable game elements, such that at least one of theplayer-selectable game elements triggers a second level of themulti-level secondary game and generates an award of at least a firstlevel secondary jackpot, the second level including a possibility ofachieving a second level secondary jackpot.
 12. The gaming terminal ofclaim 11, wherein the player-selectable game elements includes at leastone stop-game elements wherein, in response to the player selecting theplayer-selectable element revealing the at least one stop-game element,the first level of the multi-level progressive game is ended. 13.(canceled)
 14. The gaming terminal of claim 11, wherein theplayer-selectable game elements includes at least one continue-gameelement, wherein the at least one continue-game element triggers thesecond level of the multi-level secondary game.
 15. The gaming terminalof claim 14, wherein the ratio of the number of stop-game elements tothe number of continue-game elements is varied depending on a wageramount.
 16. The gaming terminal of claim 15, wherein the ratio of thenumber of stop-game elements to the number of continue-game elementsdecreases as the wager amount increases.
 17. The gaming terminal ofclaim 11, wherein the player-selectable game elements include at leastone credit-award element, such that, in response to both thesecond-level trigger element and the credit-award element beingselected, the gaming terminal awards a player the credit amountassociated with the credit-award element and the first level secondaryjackpot.
 18. The gaming terminal of claim 11, wherein the secondary gameis a bonus game.
 19. The gaming terminal of claim 11, wherein thesecondary game is a multi-level progressive game that is funded by apercentage of a wager amount input by a player.
 20. A method of playinga special-event game at a gaming terminal having a display, the gamingterminal being coupled to a signage that is related to the specialevent, the signage having a signage display, the method comprising:allowing the player to participate in the special-event game; andsimultaneously displaying the special-event game on the display of thegaming terminal and on the signage display of the signage, the signagedisplay displaying an altered version of the special-event game.
 21. Themethod of claim 20, wherein the special-event game is a bonus game. 22.The method of claim 20, wherein displaying an altered version of thespecial-event game comprises adding information to the display.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the added information comprises at least oneof adding additional animation and sound effects.
 24. The method ofclaim 20, wherein displaying an altered version of the special-eventgame comprises deleting information from the display.
 25. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the displaying an altered version of the special-eventgame comprises replacing images.
 26. The method of claim 25, whereinreplacing images comprises replacing a credit amount with a symbol. 27.The method of claim 20, wherein the special-event game is a multi-tieredprogressive game.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein theplayer-selectable elements comprise a continue-game element, and inresponse to receiving the continue-game element, crediting a player witha level-specific payoff amount, allowing the player to continue to anext level of the secondary game, and displaying the level-specificpayoff amount on the gaming terminal display.
 29. The method of claim28, further comprising altering information on the display of thelevel-specific payoff amount and displaying the altered information onthe signage.
 30. A gaming system comprising: a gaming terminal forplaying a special-event game, the gaming terminal having a display; anda signage that is related to the special event and is coupled andlocated proximate to the gaming terminal, the signage having a signagedisplay; wherein the special-event game is simultaneously displayed onthe display of the gaming terminal and on the signage display of thesignage, the signage display displaying an altered version of thespecial-event game.
 31. The gaming terminal of claim 30, wherein thealtered version of the gaming terminal display comprises an additionaldisplay.
 32. The gaming terminal of claim 31, wherein the additionaldisplay comprises at least one of added animation and a real-timedisplay of the progressive jackpot.
 33. The gaming terminal of claim 30,wherein the altered version of the gaming terminal display comprises alesser display, such that the lesser display is missing a portion of thegaming terminal display.
 34. The gaming terminal of claim 33, whereinthe missing portion of the gaming terminal display is playeridentification information.
 35. The gaming terminal of claim 30, whereinthe altered version of the gaming terminal display comprises replacingan item on the gaming terminal display with a different item on thesignage.
 36. The gaming terminal of claim 35, wherein the item replacedis a credit amount awarded and the replacing item is a symbol.